Category: C

A vitamin is an organic compound and a vital nutrient that an organism requires in limited amounts. An organic chemical compound (or related set of compounds) is called a vitamin when the organism cannot synthesize the compound in sufficient quantities, and it must be obtained through the diet; thus, the term “vitamin” is conditional upon the circumstances and the particular organism.

Fat-soluble vitamins are probably the most common vitamins for some people. Unlike water-soluble vitamins, they remain stored in the fat deposits of a body for long periods of time and may accumulate to overdose levels. Note that the only vitamin humans can make is Vitamin D. Vitamin D is made when cholesterol is acted upon by enzymes and sunlight. It should also be noted that the fat-soluble Vitamin K is produced in small quantities in the human intestine by the action of mutually beneficial intestinal bacteria.

Water-soluble vitamins generally function within the cell to help catalyze cellular reactions such as cellular respiration. For your reference, cellular respiration is the process of harvesting energy from the breakdown of food molecules that takes place inside individual cells. Unlike fat-soluble vitamins, excess water-soluble vitamins do not remain stored in the body, but are excreted in urine and feces. Water-soluble vitamins include the eight different types of B complex vitamins and Vitamin C.

LIST OF VITAMINS

Vitamin

Health Benefit

Deficiency

Toxicity

Water-Soluble Vitamins

Vitamin B-1 (Thiamin)

Vital for healthy nervous system and nerve transmission

Essential in converting glucose to energy

Disease is beriberi

Symptoms of a deficiency include depression, irritability, attention deficit

Severe deficiency leads to edema,
paralysis, and heart failure

No toxicity has been reported by those taking large doses over prolonged periods of time

Vitamin B-2 (Riboflavin)

Essential for metabolizing carbohydrates, fats, and lipids and for the degradation of fatty acids and the synthesis of ATP

Acts as an intermediary in the transfer of electrons in oxidation-reduction reactions

Necessary for the function of vitamins B-6, folic acid, and niacin

Involved in formation of red blood cells and maintenance of body tissues, particularly the skin and eyes

Symptoms are dry, scaly skin on face, oral swelling, and cracking at the corners of the mouth

Part of chemistry of coenzyme A, which is vital to metabolism of carbohydrates, fats, and proteins and involved in making fatty acids, cholesterol, acetylcholine, steroid hormones, and nerve regulators

Can result in abdominal distress, vomiting, cramps, burning in heels, fatigue, and insomnia